Forensic Accounting in Colorado Divorce: Finding Hidden Income and Assets with Doug Chambers | Episode 241

Forensic Accounting in Divorce: Following the Money with Doug Cash

In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Amy Goscha is joined by forensic accountant Doug Cash to discuss how forensic accounting fits into divorce cases, especially when one spouse knows far more about the finances than the other. Doug explains the difference between tracing and following money, how forensic accountants differ from business valuation experts, and why getting a forensic accountant involved early can make a major difference in a divorce case.

Guest Information

Doug Cash is a forensic accountant with Eide Bailly whose background is unusually rooted in law enforcement and financial investigations. He spent nearly three decades in law enforcement in New Mexico and Arizona, including work as a fraud detective with the City of Mesa, as a special agent for the State of Arizona investigating insurance fraud, and in anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing investigations for JPMorgan Chase.

Episode Highlights

Why forensic accounting matters in divorce
Amy and Doug discuss how many divorce cases involve a major imbalance in financial knowledge. One spouse may have managed the business, accounts, and records, while the other has little idea where the money went or what the actual financial picture looks like.

Doug’s unusual path into forensic accounting
Doug shares that his professional background began in law enforcement, not accounting. He started as a police officer at 18 later moved into fraud investigations, worked insurance fraud and anti-money laundering cases and eventually transitioned into forensic accounting.

The difference between a forensic accountant and a business valuation expert
Doug explains that a business valuation expert is usually working from financial statements profit and loss statements, tax returns, and other summarized documents to form an opinion about what a business is worth.

Why source documents matter
A recurring theme in the episode is that source documents are critical. Doug explains that tax returns and sworn financial statements are only numbers on a page unless someone checks the documents underneath them.

How forensic accountants can help shape discovery
Doug notes that forensic accountants can be useful before discovery is even served. By helping attorneys identify the right documents and requests early they can make the process more efficient and target

What is Divorce at Altitude?

Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado.

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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.